Our Impact

Our goals are ambitious. Over the next several years, with our wide array of partners, we expect to:

Influence and support policy and regulatory changes that will underpin confident investment in Myanmar.

Facilitate over $100 million of investment to scale energy access efforts that will transform the lives of millions.

See incomes increase at least three-fold in communities with reliable access to decentralised energy.

Improve the livelihoods and economic prospects of over 10 million people through energy access and productive uses of electricity.

How we do it

We work in a complex ecosystem of partners, developers, financiers, communities, and local and national authorities. Our impact is a shared impact through collaboration, innovation and creativity – from creating the business models, financing structures and tariff solutions that incentivise governments to expand energy access effectively and efficiently to strategic partnerships that Smart Power Myanmar has cultivated to promote energy access.

Through Pact, Smart Power Myanmar's role is supported by our extensive footprint in 85 townships, including one million active microfinance clients and 500,000 people served through our integrated development programs.

Lasting impact

When a household is electrified for the first time with reliable, affordable electricity, it impacts health, education, wellbeing and economic development. The convenience of cooking on an electric rice-cooker replaces the need to collect firewood for a traditional fire-burning stove, saving women's time and improving their health as they no longer breathe dangerous soot. Light at night enables students to study more and street lights increase safety in communities. Connectivity through mobile phones that can be charged at any time of the day brings opportunities for new ideas and access to information, innovation and broader human interaction.

The human journey

Lasting economic change takes time as complex value chains evolve and strengthen, but people's ability to start, improve and grow businesses to improve their lives is affected immediately. Whether it is building entrepreneurial skills or facilitating connections to suppliers or technology, Smart Power Myanmar seeks to support economic opportunities through close cooperation with our customers and communities. We measure the impact of our work by increased resilience, incomes and ability to develop and sustain viable long-term mini-grid business models. As rural economy evolves, we follow the changes on local mini-grid development as well as on rural enterprises nationwide.

Becoming an entrepreneur

U Aye Soe has run his own motorcycle repair shop in Kalamagaung village in Tanintharyi Region for 10 years. In November 2018, Techno-Hill Engineering built a solar mini-grid in the village, providing reliable and affordable energy. Before his shop was electrified, U Aye Soe would rent power tools that were operated by a diesel generator. In addition to the tool rental costs, he spent 30,000 MMK (USD $20) a month on diesel for his generator and needed to hire a labourer to help run it. Once the village was electrified, U Aye Soe took a loan of 630,000 MMK (USD $420) from Smart Power Myanmar to purchase his own electric tools, including a welding machine, an electric motor for an air compressor and an electric screwdriver. With lower costs, U Aye Soe has been able to save 445,000 MMK (USD $297) per month on average and is able to keep his shop open for longer hours to service more customers.